Lactation Room Example

Lactation Room Example

Lactation Room Example

Lactation Room Design Recommendations

The Lactation Room Design Recommendations is Funded in
part by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Community Action Grant

A woman
should not have to choose between resuming her higher education or career and
providing breast milk for her child.

Currently, many women are deterred from
returning to school or work if they are breastfeeding an infant for fear that
they will not be able to continue breastfeeding after resuming an education or
a career. Those who do return to work are often forced to make the difficult
decision to wean their babies earlier than planned due to inadequate
accommodations to express milk in a university setting or in the workplace. The
goal of this project is to provide tools and inspiration more facilities to
become “Mom Friendly.”

According to the CDC, women who work
outside the home do not breastfeed as long as stay-at-home mothers. The lack of
accommodations for breast milk expression contributes largely to a woman’s
decision to wean her baby early or to avoid breastfeeding altogether. In 2010
the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act was amended to require break time and a
private lactation space (not a restroom) for mothers who wish to express breast
milk in the workplace; however, many facilities are not yet compliant.

This project’s goal is to create recommended
standards to be used by building owners, employers and universities to provide
sufficient lactation accommodations for women who work, visit, or study in
their facilities.

The mentoring component of this project will
teenage girls to participate in the development of the guide, contributing to
an important cause for women and sharpening leadership skills. The goal of this
project is to increase lactation accommodations in places where women work,
study or visit, while providing valuable mentorship to aspiring designers.